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Not a day went by where Yelan got more than a few glances in her direction. After all, that was most ideal for her, as an intelligent agent for the one and only Ningguang.
Sure, maybe there'd always been a few oddities about her-- she walked with a noticeable sway in her hips, her chin held high like a noblewoman, maybe even the expensive fur coat hanging loosely off her shoulders was an attention attractor-- but it was never enough to raise questions about who this woman truly was.
Now imagine a dead person walking through Liyue Harbour. It doesnt need to be said that that'd raise many questions.
Yelan had never been able to get much sleep, but she'd gotten used to it. Her eyebags were never dark enough to be unhideable, she'd always just cake her face in makeup. But when a Fatui Harbinger speaks in your brain at night, even less sleep is guaranteed.
The usual fashionable passerby now walked with her back rounded, her hair messy, her eyes sunken in, and her fur coat slung over her shoulder. She looked like a walking dead woman.
Yelan's never been one for romance. When she was a little girl, the boys teased her for all sorts of things, which left a bad taste in her mouth. As she got older, she'd harshly decline any romantic advances. Despite this, she can't help but feel lonely sometimes.
So when an admittedly attractive man (still her archenemy) whispered sweet nothings in her ears at night, knowing damn well he was just teasing her, she slipped into a state of emotional turmoil.
It all started a few months ago when Pantalone stole one of her bracelets. They were used for the two wearers to communicate with eachother.
Yelan's first thought was to simply stop wearing her bracelet, but the communication ability was wired into her brain (ancient magic things, amirite).
Then she worried about him overhearing her private conversations during work, but then she realized that'd never happen... one would have to *want* the other wearer to listen, and who'd want that for their archenemy?
And then, he started talking to her. He'd figured out the bracelet's use somehow, but then again, what couldn't a rich man do?
Yelan still remembers what he first said to her. "Test. Test. Can you hear me?"
Looking back, it's a bit funny, considering his rumored age. But at the time, Yelan could've jumped out of her bed in shock. She didn't answer. She never has.
But now, Pantalone had been teasing her so long, she was at the brink of a mental breakdown. Almost 6 months after he started talking to her, Yelan answered with a weak "Stop, please."
Silence.
"You answered?" The bastard didn't seem shocked or even moved at her obviously weak voice-- he chuckled. "Why should I stop?"
Rule number 1 of her job: Don't let people know your feelings.
"You're driving me crazy..."
Rule number 2: Don't let people know you're at a disadvantage.
"...I can't sleep, I haven't slept in 42 hours because you keep whispering in my ear from across Teyvat..."
Rule number 3: Keep your work a secret.
"...I mean, how can I even serve lady Ningguang like this?!..."
Rule number 4: Hide your personal troubles.
"...Boys have always teased me, but this is just too far! Please!"
Yelan, one of the best secret intelligent agents in Teyvat, was *teased* into breaking the 4 most important rules of her job. What's worse, she was too tired to even realize it.
Over in Snezhnaya, Pantalone sat atop his bed, confused. He slid the bracelet off his wrist slowly.
He'd had a hunch that Yelan worked for the government, but the information she revealed made her so much more valuable. Maybe he'd stop keeping her awake... but he certainly would have a bit more fun with her.